January-February 2017 Advancement News 1

Previous issues are available at www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/advancement_news.aspx

Opportunities for

Advancement Administrators

Mechanics of Advancement Conference

June 18-24, 2017

Designed for unit, district, and council-level volunteers and professional Scouters, this course connects partici-

pants with the essentials of advancement and outlines the rationale behind many of the policies and proce-

dures governing it. Presentations from members of the National Advancement Program Team will provide an

understanding of how the BSA advancement method should be delivered. Group discussions will focus on

effective ways to resolve the related issues and

challenges that arise. The Guide to Advancement

and the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook are

featured and covered in detail.

http://www.summitbsa.org/programs/training/training-registration/

Advancement News Advancement News January-February

2017

Vol. 7, No. 1

Opportunities for Advancement Administrators: Mechan-ics of Advancement Conference; 2017 Advancement Con-ferences listing; Useful Advancement Courses Updates

From the Guide To Advancement: Guide To Advancement 2017 Coming Soon; Guide To Advancement Policy is Policy

The Cub Scout Angle: Program Modifications Increase Ad-vancement Flexibility

Advancement Excitement at National Scout Jamboree: Journalism Opportunity awaits Jamboree Scout—Could They be from Your District or Council?

Counselor’s Corner: Counselor’s Compass : Tips for Getting Up to Speed and a Checklist for Staying There

Eagle Issues: Written Statements of Religious Belief Can-not Be Required

A Peek Ahead: What is Planned for March-April 2017 From the Archives: Multiple Advancement Credit for One

Activity (November 2012)

Helpful Links:

In This Issue

January-February 2017 Advancement News 2

2017 Advancement Conferences

Excellent conferences are available during the summer months of 2017:

June 18-24: The Summit Bechtel Reserve – Mechanics of Advancement

A conference offering the opportunity to experience advancement education at the Summit, loca-

tion of the 2017 National Scout Jamboree

July 16-22: Philmont Training Center – Advancement Issues and Solutions Conference

A conference designed to present opportunities for all Scouters involved in advancement to chal-

lenge their interpretations and knowledge of issues found in real units, districts, and councils.

July 23-29: Philmont Training Center – Conference on Education for Advancement Administrators (CEAA)

A conference which encourages all participants to help identify needs and design training for the

future use of advancement Scouters.

Useful Advancement Courses Being Updated for Reissue in 2017

Two discontinued advancement education videocasts are being updated and converted into PowerPoint

presentations for use as instructor-led advancement education courses.

The Merit Badge Program. An introductory course intended for introducing new leaders, Scouts,

and parents to the importance of and the procedures for completing merit badges.

The Eagle Scout Service Project. A course to help Eagle Scout candidates, unit leaders, advancement

administrators, and parents understand the concept and processes associated with beginning and

completing a successful Eagle Scout Service Project.

Both of these presentations are expected to be published online by early 2017 at www.scouting.org/

advancement.

About Advancement News Follow the National Advancement Program Team on Twitter!

(BSA Advancement Team, @AdvBSA)

Advancement News is the official e-letter of the Boy Scouts of America National Advancement Program Team. Its intent is to

provide and clarify procedures found in the Guide to Advancement, announce various changes and updates in advancement,

and to assist advancement committees in making decisions that can help increase the rate of advancement. Therefore, districts

and councils may reprint articles from this publication. Our plan is to distribute six issues of Advancement News annually, but

special editions may go out whenever there is important information to share. Feedback, suggestions, and letters to the editor

are welcome at

advancement.team@scouting.org.

January-February 2017 Advancement News 3

From the Guide To Advancement

Guide To Advancement 2017 Coming Soon

The Guide to Advancement is always a work in progress, thanks to

program changes that occur at all levels of Scouting. The National Ad-

vancement Program Team tries to keep everyone involved in ad-

vancement matters abreast of changes in policies and procedures

through publications, e.g., Advancement News, and online postings at

www.scouting.org/advancement or via Twitter by following @AdvBSA

or “BSA Advancement Team.”

Nevertheless, every couple of years it becomes necessary to update

and refine the single, basic publication that all advancement Scouters

must look to for guidance: the Guide to Advancement. A revised ver-

sion of GTA 2015 (Publication 33088) is currently in final develop-

ment. When GTA 2017 is released, you can be certain that Advance-

ment News will report on its major changes and additions and will

bring you highlights of any new materials included, as well as those

that have been expanded or changed.

Guide To Advancement Policy is Policy

Recently, the Troop Leader’s Guidebook, Volume II was released. Under the topic 'Alternative Merit Badg-

es for the Eagle Scout Rank' on page 156 the following error was included:

“3. The candidate must complete as many of the requirements of the required merit badges as his ability

permits.”

This is an incorrect statement, and will be corrected in the next reprint/revision.

Advancement Administrators and Scout leaders are advised to always refer to the Guide to Advancement.

Topic 10.2.2.3 supersedes what is stated in the Troop Leader Guidebook Vol. II.

And states: “Though individual requirements for merit badges may not be modified or substituted, youth

with special needs may request approval for alternative badges they can complete. This is allowable on the

basis of one entire badge for another.” The section continues to explain qualifications needed for applying

for the use of alternative merit badges for Eagle Scout Rank.

The correct policy is also stated in “The Application for Alternative Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges”, No.

512-730

January-February 2017 Advancement News 4

The Cub Scout Angle

Program Modifications Increase Advancement Flexibility

In June 2015, the Cub Scout program saw new and exciting changes that naturally had a cor-

respondingly great effect of Cub Scout Advancement. The Cub Scout Adventures were in-

tended to provide a new generation of Cub Scouts with the opportunity to experience the aims and values

of Scouting.

A year after the new program was implemented, recommendations from the field have been implement-

ed to make the program more flexible for Cub Scouts and their leaders. These modifications are designed

to keep those Cub Scouts in the program and have them be successful in advancement. It is hoped that as

leaders and parents embrace these changes the Cub Scout program will continue to provide quality expe-

riences for Cub Scouts for many years to come.

The new program modifications may be found at www.scouting.org/filestore/cubscouts/pdf/

CubScout_Advancement_Modifications.pdf. The modified adventures and their respective requirements

may be used with the current handbooks; relevant changes to handbook content will take place in subse-

quent editions.

The updates explanation includes the overview that “Most modifications involve the number of require-

ments to be completed, reducing the mandate to a number achievable within the limited time available to

many dens, while retaining rich program options that allow leaders to build strong programs adapted to

local needs and situations. Some rewording fosters participation by boys who could not otherwise com-

plete an adventure.”

Leaders will find these changes provide more flexibility as they provide a program that supports advance-

ment for all Cub Scouts. With the modifications, dens should be able to complete one adventure in ap-

proximately two den meetings. Similarly, adventures that previously required den or pack camping (unless

the chartered unit does not allow camping) have been made more accommodating by giving options for

either camping, day camp, resident camp, or an outdoor activity. Fewer required activities per adventure

allow dens the opportunity to use the optional requirements to customize their program.

One particular change that both Cub Scout and Boy Scout leaders should be aware of is found in the Arrow

of Light required adventure: Scouting Adventure. This adventure had previously aligned with the Scout

rank, the initial Boy Scout rank. The Scout rank states that if the Scout completed the requirements as part

of the Webelos Scouting Adventure, he must simply demonstrate his knowledge or skills to the Scoutmas-

ter or other designated leader after joining the troop. Aside from some minor word changes, the newly

adopted modifications have removed a requirement that is found in the Scout rank, and have also made a

few of the requirements optional for completion of the Adventure, which are not optional in the Scout

rank. Webelos leaders may want to make the extra effort to complete the optional requirements, and

have the boys repeat from memory the Outdoor Code and explain what it means, to better prepare them

when they cross over to Boy Scouts. New Boy Scouts can use this as an opportunity to make sure they fully

complete those requirements that they did not do as Cub Scouts, which will Continued on page 5

January-February 2017 Advancement News 5

Continued from page 4

The following table shows comparison of Requirement 1 between the Boy Scout rank of Scout and the Cub

Scout Arrow of Light Required “Scouting Adventure.”

Requirement 1 - Scout Rank

All requirements for Scout rank must be completed

as a member of a troop. If you already completed

these requirements as part of the Webelos

Scouting Adventure, simply demonstrate your

knowledge or skills to your Scoutmaster or other

designated leader after joining the troop.

a. Repeat from memory the Scout Oath, Scout

Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan. In your

own words, explain their meaning.

b. Explain what Scout spirit is. Describe some

ways you have shown Scout spirit by practicing

the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and

Scout slogan.

c. Demonstrate the Boy Scout sign, salute, and

handshake. Explain when they should be used.

d. Describe the First Class Scout badge and tell

what each part stands for. Explain the signifi-

cance of the First Class Scout badge.

e. Repeat from memory the Outdoor Code. In

your own words, explain what the Outdoor

Code means to you.

f. Repeat from memory the Pledge of Allegiance.

In your own words, explain its meaning

Requirement 1 - Scouting Adventure

Prepare yourself to become a Boy Scout by com-

pleting at least a-c below:

a. Repeat from memory the Scout Oath, Scout

Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan. In your

own words, explain their meanings to your den

leader, parent, or guardian.

b. Explain what Scout spirit is. Describe for your

den leader, parent, or guardian some ways you

have shown Scout spirit by conducting yourself

according to the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout

motto, and Scout slogan.

c. Give the Boy Scout sign, salute, and handshake.

Explain when to use each.

d. Describe the First Class Scout badge, and tell

what each part stands for. Explain the signifi-

cance of the First Class Scout badge.

e. Repeat from memory the Pledge of Allegiance.,

In your own words, explain its meaning.

Note that Scout Rank requires the Outdoor Code.

Although it is not a requirement for Scouting Ad-

venture for Webelos, it remains a requirement for

“Outdoorsman” (formerly known as “Camper).

Thus, Webelos will have done all the requirements

for the Scout Rank.

With new modifications, Advancement leadership will want to

note that the number of Adventures for Webelos and Arrow of

Light have been significantly reduced. Webelos now needs 5

Required Adventures, and 1 Elective, and the Arrow of Light

Rank is 4 Required Adventures and 1 Elective.

January-February 2017 Advancement News 6

Advancement Excitement at National Scout Jam-

boree

Journalism Opportunity Awaits Jamboree

Scout—Could They Be From Your District or

Council?

For Scouts attending the 2017 National Jamboree, working on ex-

citing merit badges will add value and substance to their experience

at the Summit! Specifically working on the Journalism Merit Badge will provide one Scout with the op-

portunity of a lifetime.

Through a partnership with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting and National Geographic Fellow Paul

Salopek, one Scout will be selected to join Salopek on his Out of Eden Walk. In Asia next year. In 2013, he

embarked on a 21,000 mile walk to retrace the route of our earliest ancestor’s migration from Ethiopia,

across the Middle East, Asia, North America, and down to the tip of South America.

As a journalism project, the walk is an exercise in telling the big stories of our day--climate change, mass

migrations, and other global issues--from the perspective of ordinary people who live along the walk

route. His walk is also a clarion call to us back home in the US.

At a time when digital technology and global connectivity allow us to act, speak, and even to think more

quickly and with less reflection than ever before, Salopek wants to slow readers down. When we walk,

we can perceive a world of connections and meaning that is unobserved by those who speed by in cars or

bury their noses in smartphones. He calls this practice “slow journalism,” and urges us to follow his ex-

ample.

Scouts will have the opportunity to record their experience in the Jamboree Passport to Adventure Jour-

nals, collect stamps for the programs areas visited, submit an online post, and write an essay about the

experience that might be shared with a local newspaper.

Scouts who are interested in “Living Scouting’s Adventure” with Paul on his Out of Eden Walk should reg-

ister today for the Jamboree at www.bsajamboree.org and visit pulitzercenter.org/jamboree to learn

more about eligibility requirements and key deadlines.

Merit Badge Could Lead to

Walking with National Geo-

graphic Fellow in Asia. Watch

for additional information

coming in the near future.

Registration information and more details on the 2017 National

Scout Jamboree can be found

http://www.summitbsa.org/events/jamboree/overview/

January-February 2017 Advancement News 7

Counselor’s Corner

Counselor’s Compass Now an Integral Part of Advancement News

As announced previously in the Advancement News, the new Counselor’s Corner segment of the Advance-

ment News will be replacing the former Counselor’s Compass publication. Most of the information we will

be sharing in this segment will be geared to merit badge counseling administration and related counseling

“perils,” and will, by design, be primarily aimed to assist the steady stream of new merit badge counselors,

or MBCs. We want, however, to assure our veteran MBCs that we will not overlook your interests, and we

will also be including items pertinent to your needs as new issues and items arise.)

Tips for Getting Up to Speed and a Checklist for Staying There

With any volunteer position in the Boy Scouts of America, understanding exactly what the role of that po-

sition is in the bigger picture and getting the proper training for the position is critical.

For the new merit badge counselor a good starting point is to review the Guide for Merit Badge Counse-

lors available at: www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-065.pdf This resource introduces MBCs to the merit

badge process, helps them gain an understanding of their unique role in advancement, and provides them

with good instructional techniques for working with Scouts.

To find out about the availability of Merit Badge Counselor Orientation training in their area, new MBCs

should check their local council’s website or contact their local district or council training committee. This

training is of value even to seasoned MBCs, as new counseling techniques and ideas are often times rolled

out in these sessions. Here is an example.

New and veteran MBCs should first ask themselves a few simple questions:

Am I using the latest merit badge pamphlet and requirements for badge instruction? (Visit

www.scouting.org/meritbadges.aspx for current merit badge pamphlets and requirements.)

Do I have the skills, education, and experience currently required to teach youth the subject matter of

the merit badge? Furthermore, if required as for certain badges, do I have the specialty certification or

training needed to teach the badge? (Find a list of the required specialty certifications in Guide to Ad-

vancement (topic 7.0.1.1), accessible at www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33088.pdf.)

Is my required Youth Protection Training (YPT) current? (If you are not sure, contact your local council

service center to find out; or better yet, just log onto your My.Scouting account (https://

my.scouting.org/) and take the convenient online YPT certification course.)

Archived editions of Counselor’s Compass will remain available at

www.scouting.org/scoutsource/boyscouts/guideformeritbadgecounselors.aspx.

January-February 2017 Advancement News 8

Eagle Issues

Written Statements of Religious Belief Cannot Be Required Effective January 1, 2016, the statement “Tell how you have done your duty to God...” was

incorporated into all Boy Scout rank requirements from Tenderfoot through Eagle Scout,

including those for Eagle Palms. Each Scout is expected to “tell” how he has done his duty to

God, but not to demonstrate, discuss, show, or prove it otherwise. He especially is not re-

quired to provide a written “Statement of Religious Belief” (or any other document with a similar title) in or-

der to meet this requirement.

Nevertheless, some councils, districts, or even units are recommending—and some are requiring—that

Scouts include such a statement with their Eagle Scout Rank Applications as a condition for meeting the reli-

gious reference portion of requirement #2. This is adding to the requirements and is contrary to the National

policy to do so. All each Scout is required to do is to provide contact information for a religious reference. In

cases where the Scout is not affiliated with an organized religion, he may use his parent(s)/guardian as his

religious reference—it is up to them how they respond to the reference request. They cannot be required to

submit a “Statement of Religious Belief” or any other written correspondence on behalf of their son any more

than can any of the other references the Scout has provided.

To be clear on this point, councils, districts, and units must immediately stop even recommending that Scouts

provide such statements of belief in order for their Eagle Scout rank applications to be processed. The argu-

ment that they are not “requiring” but only “recommending” such a statement be included is not valid. The

fact that such a “recommendation” has come from someone in a position of authority infers that there is a

formal expectation that such a statement be included, which is the same as requiring it. To avoid misunder-

standings and Eagle Scout Rank Application processing delays, councils, districts, and units should eliminate

any reference to such statements of belief, either from Scouts or parents.

An excellent discussion on this new requirement that explained how it was intended to be a monologue by

the Scout and not a dialogue between a Scout and his leader was provided in the Bryan on Scouting blog in

November 2015. The full article still can be found here and is well worth being revisited: http://

blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2015/11/02/beginning-next-year-boy-scouts-will-discuss-duty-to-god-at-each-

rank/.

A Peek Ahead

Here is a glimpse of what we are working on for the next issue of Advancement News. As always, actual

content may vary somewhat based on a number of considerations, especially to accommodate “late-

breaking” news of immediate importance to our subscribers.

Topics Planned for March-April

On Increasing Advancement: Advancement and preparing for Journey to Excellence Scores

Advancement excitement at National Scout Jamboree: Opportunities for Scout Advancement

abounds

The Cub Scout Angle: Program Updates bring opportunities

January-February 2017 Advancement News 9

From the Archives Multiple Advancement Credit for One Activity

(November 2012)

“The national Advancement Team [Ed: now the National Advancement Program Team] is often asked:

‘What is the policy on using a single activity to fulfill more than a single Boy Scout requirement?’

“The answer involves three considerations. The first occurs when there is an exact match in the wording

of the requirements. The second is when requirements give the appearance of aligning at first glance,

but differ upon further examination. The third and most frequent consideration involves service to oth-

ers.

“When requirements do match exactly—e.g., camping nights for Second Class and First Class ranks and

merit badges—it is appropriate and completely permissible to use those matching activities for both the

ranks and merit badges.

“However, in the vast majority of instances, seemingly similar requirements have nuances intended to

create distinctly different experiences. The Communication and Citizenship in the Community merit

badges provide an appropriate example. Each requires the Scout to attend a public meeting, but that is

where the similarity ends. For the Communication merit badge, the Scout is asked to practice active lis-

tening skills during the meeting and ‘present an objective report that includes all points of view that

were expressed.’ For Citizenship, the Scout is asked to examine differences in opinions expressed during

the meeting, and then to choose and defend one side. After fulfilling the more inclusive Communication

requirement, if the Scout selects an issue presented at the same public meeting and defends it, only

then has he also met the Citizenship requirement.

“As for service to those in need, the BSA wisely does not have a set policy or rule. Rather, this outlook is

left to the Scout’s and his leaders’ consciences. When contemplating whether to double-count service

hours or a service project and apply the same work to pass a second advancement requirement, each

Scout should ask himself: ‘Do I want to get double credit for helping others this one time, or do I want to

undertake a second effort and make a greater difference in the lives of even more people?’ To reach his

decision, each Scout should follow familiar guideposts found in words and phrases such as ‘helpful,’

‘kind,’ ‘Do a Good Turn Daily,’ and ‘help other people at all times.’ As Scout leaders, we must ask our-

selves an even more pointed question: ‘Is my goal to produce Scouts who seek out loopholes or Scouts

who will become the leaders in our communities?’ To answer our own question, we should consult the

same criteria that guides the Scouts.”

January-February 2017 Advancement News 10

Hear It First on Twitter If you want the news first, follow the National Advancement Program Team on Twitter. Topics cover

the FAQs received at the national office, clarifications on policies and procedures, news on changes and

new releases, and best practices in advancement.

If you already have a Twitter account, follow us at @AdvBSA or “BSA Advancement Team.” If you don’t

have an account, it is a quick and easy process to set up an account at www.twitter.com. To limit in-

coming emails (‘tweets‘), you can select to have BSA National Advancement Team as the only account

you want to follow.

Note: Advancement questions should be directed to advancement.team@scouting.org.

Did You Receive this Tweet?

October 18: Advancement will be an important part of the FSB Volunteer Development Conference.

Join us Jan 16-21, 2017

Managing Subscriptions to Advancement News

Advancement News is designed for council and district advancement committees, advancement staff advisors, and Eagle processors. However, any Scouting volunteer or professional may subscribe.

Subscribing. Send a message to advancement.team@scouting.org, with “SUBSCRIBE” in the subject line. Indicate your name, email address, and council in the message text.

Unsubscribing. To decline future issues please reply and enter “REMOVE” in the subject line. We will remove the subscrip-tion within the next two weeks.

Receiving Multiple Copies. If you receive Advancement News at more than one email address, choose the one to be re-moved and reply with “REMOVE” in the subject line. Include a message requesting that we remove only that email address.

Duplicate Copies. If you receive more than one copy of Advancement News at the same email address, please reply to all but one of them with “DUPLICATE” in the subject line.

Address Change. If you want Advancement News sent to a different address, reply and enter “ADDRESS CHANGE” in the subject line. In your message, enter your council name and the email address you prefer.

January-February 2017 Advancement News 11

Helpful Links

Here are some links to the most current materials of interest for Scouters who are involved in the admin-istration of advancement. These and many more resources are available via the Advancement Resources web page at www.scouting.org/advancement.

Merit Badge Group Instruction Guide

Advancement Educational Presentations:

Cub Scout Advancement: Delivering Adventure

Getting the Most From Internet Advancement

The Essentials of Merit Badge Counseling (English and Spanish)

The Eagle Scout Service Project Coach (English and Spanish)

Effective Troop Advancement (English and Spanish)

Including Scouts With Disabilities

Videocasts on Guide to Advancement, selected topics

Introduction to the Guide to Advancement

Judgment Calls

Boards of Review

Boards of Review Under Disputed Circumstances

Boards of Review Appeals

The Eagle Scout Application Process

Eagle Scout Boards of Review

Videos

On Increasing Advancement

Why Advancement?

Guardian of the Gate

Guide to Advancement 2015

Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook

Navigating the Eagle Scout Service Project: Information for Project Beneficiaries

Eagle Scout Service Project Coach Application

Eagle Scout Rank Application

Merit Badge Counselor Information

Reporting Merit Badge Concerns

Venturing Summit Award Service Project Workbook

Venturing Board of Review Guide

Individual Scout Achievement Plan

Lone Scout Friend and Counselor Guidebook